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Your Observer | All

Aiden Sanders, a junior at Lakewood Ranch, has turned himself into a bonafide competitor in the 120-pound weight class in 3A in just over a year.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • February 19, 2025
After long layoff, Lakewood Ranch High wrestler regains his excellence

Aiden Sanders, who had to sit out years due to concessions, has his sights set on a state tourney berth.

  • East County
  • Sports
The front entrance of Manatee County's leased space at Whitney Plaza.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 19, 2025
Manatee County to leave Longboat Key plaza space in August

The county planned to turn the leased space into a community center with adult education classes but now is shifting away from putting money into a leased space.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The development envelope of a future project between Fruitville Road and Fourth Street is outlined in yellow with the options for the driveway location shown off Fourth Street.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 19, 2025
Fruitville Road project wins adjustment for Fourth Street driveway

With no site plan submitted, the developer of nearly 2 acres between Fruitville Road and Fourth Street at North Tamiami Trail gets critical access approval.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Black skimmer chicks have started to appear on Lido Beach.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 19, 2025
Shorebird stewards ready for start of breeding season in Florida

Nesting shorebirds frequent Longboat and Lido Key beaches in the spring and summer months, with the season officially starting on Feb. 15.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Chef Greg Campbell says few restaurants cook from scratch with real ingredients such as vanilla bean when making dishes such as crème brûlée.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 19, 2025
Grove will serve up a Campbell's scoop in Lakewood Ranch

"Cooking with Campbell" looks to entertain, feed, and educate those who attend about best cooking practices.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Johnny Lackaff
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • February 19, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Johnny Lackaff

Sailors guard scored 30-plus in two regional playoff games.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
BJ Ivey's players said the relationships he's built with them have made it easy to buy in to his instruction.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • February 19, 2025
Ivey turns Sarasota boys basketball from cellar dweller to state contender

Basketball coach BJ Ivey has led the Sailors on their best run in over 50 years.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Observer recommends
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 19, 2025
Observer recommends

As is often the case on Longboat Key, whenever there is an election for Town Commission, Longboat Key voters have good, competent choices.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Avary Shirley
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • February 18, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Avary Shirley

Lakewood Ranch sophomore stepped up to help send Mustangs to states.

  • East County
  • Sports
Ella Walker, 17, Abby Duplissey, 19, Patty Foley and Lauren Taylor Nock perform with the ballet team.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 18, 2025
Sarasota Ski-A-Rees host first show since hurricanes

Although waters were rough, the waterskiing nonprofit still braved the conditions to offer its first performance since hurricanes Helene and Milton.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rossini's humorous opera, “The Barber of Seville," runs from Feb. 22 until March 29 at the Sarasota Opera's 2025 Winter Opera Festival.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 18, 2025
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Feb. 20-26

Don't miss these arts and entertainment events around Sarasota and Manatee counties this week.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Samantha Bennett, Abraham Feder and George Nickson
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • February 18, 2025
enSRQ serves up Prelude Soiree as pre-concert appetizer

The cocktail event gave new music supporters a bonus performance with special guest, cellist Abe Feder.

  • Black Tie
At the 2024 gala, friends Erica Molinar and Jessica Mendez cheers to Mendez's good health and the much needed financial support she received from the Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2022.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 18, 2025
Lakewood Ranch foundation to host murder mystery gala

The Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation is hosting Mystery Under the Stars on March 1 at The Ora in Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Biden, Obama, Clinton: Era of great prosperity
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • February 18, 2025
Biden, Obama, Clinton: Era of great prosperity

Readers are not ecstatic over the latest election.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Men caught sleeping in Longboat park after hours
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 18, 2025
Men caught sleeping in Longboat park after hours

The two were found asleep in their car, claiming they were tired after fishing. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
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Latest News

1
The roof of Sarasota Youth Sailing's future building is designed to direct rainwater into a cistern for washing boats.
  • July 25, 2026
Youth sailing building crests final regulatory wave
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Legacy: Motown & More
3
Bradenton 3-year-old Zy'heir Curry, a lover of "Paw Patrol," shows off his trophy from playing flag football at The Learning Experience.
  • July 24, 2026
The Learning Experience in Lakewood Ranch tackles a flag football event
4
Larry Debb of GSP Development with a scale model of Saravela at the development's sales center.
  • July 24, 2026
City staff instructed to develop condo-hotel policy
5
Danae Tran plays the violin for Longboat Island Chapel attendees of the July 19 morning service before she and fellow scholarship recipient Michelle McLeod move to greet guests at the award reception.
  • July 24, 2026
Scholars celebrated at Longboat Island Chapel award reception

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